Is it safe to always use === in PHP?
php
Solution
You should use `===` by default (to avoid the problems you just encountered) and use `==` when needed, as a convenience.
For instance, you may be taking parameters from `$_GET` or similar, and a parameter might be the string `true` or `false`, vs the boolean `true` or `false`. Personally, I check everything, but there can be legitimate use cases for `==` if you are conscious of it, and careful with use.
Problem
I'm new to PHP and I just ran across a day-wasting bug because I didn't realize that the PHP == operator does type coercion similar to Javascript. I know that Douglas Crockford recommends never using the == operator with Javascript, and to always use the === operator. If I code in a manner that never assumes type coercion, can I use the same advice in PHP, and never use the == operator? is it safe to always use the === operator, or are there gotchas that I need to be aware of?